The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Traditions Of Christmas

by Dessa Rodeffer, Publisher

26 December 2001

What is your traditions of Christmas? Who started them and why?

In my visits with people about Christmas, I have found it is traditions that people grow up with in their homes that become dearer with age.

Maybe it is because we live in such a fast changing world and a very unpredictable world that we look forward to the comfort of knowing what to expect at Christmas.

We always look forward to the special gathering of aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents, sisters, brothers and children too.

Another tradition is the special notes and letters tucked inside Christmas cards which keep us in touch.

I enjoyed reading the wonderful letters in last week's Christmas book which were tucked inside The Quill written by Mrs. Hollie Gebhardt's 4th grade students at La Harpe.

They wrote about "What Christmas Means To Me?" and it was amazing how they, too, picked up on the tradition of having family close, and not so much the presents.

In fact, one girl - Erica Little - said it means to go to church, celebrate Jesus's birthday, and "It doesn't mean lots of presents."

Then she went on to say "This year I just want 4 things because I don't care for toys very much. But I wish for good health, friends, family, and peace. That's what I think Christmas is all about."

The tradition of worshiping the birth of Jesus is probably top on most people's list, but in listening to C-Span this morning, I was shocked that a woman called in to say she was disappointed in all the coverage of "fluff" on C-Span about Jesus and God. No one has ever seen them and she thinks it is disgusting they keep talking about them. There wasn't much she liked about C-Span, in fact.

I guess there is always some that want to rain on the party, complain about the meal, are unhappy about the presents, upset about who is coming and who didn't show up, and on and on:

For most of us, we enjoy the gathering, even if it means washing more pots and pans than we ever have all year.

The traditions in family gatherings are a comfort. Some I have heard include:

• family members write what gifts they will give Jesus. They tell of last year's gift and how well they did throughout the year, before they tell what will be giving this year.
• some always bake a birthday cake in honor of the baby Jesus' birthday.
• once, a small child was full of "old Nick," Santa peeked in the window and the little girl's mouth fell wide open as she saw he was watching her actions. She was good until Christmas and her mother had a suspicious twinkle in her eye.
• many include a family breakfast and traditional meal (some by candlelight), family & friends, gifts and games, worship, the reading of the Christmas story, and prayers for peace in the new year.